Mariano's and Blessings in a Backpack "Stuff The Backpack" to Reduce Childhood Hunger in Food-Insecure Households

Children living in food-insecure homes are usually unsure of where their next meal is going to come from. Research shows that hunger affects more than 20 million children nationwide, especially on the weekends, when they aren’t in school to receive free or reduced-price meals. Non-profit organization Blessings in a Backpack provides food for students over the weekend who are fed at school during the week by the federal free and reduced price lunch program.

Mariano’s and Blessings in a Backpack are teaming up to aid in relieving hunger pangs with the “Stuff the Backpack” food drive event. Running now through Saturday, February 20, shoppers can purchase pre-stuffed backpacks filled with non-perishable food items at six local Mariano’s stores. Shoppers will be able to purchase backpacks for $5 to supply food for two weekends or $10 to supply food for four weekends.

The event will conclude on February 20, with a reading event at Mariano’s NewCity and Hoffman Estate locations by Maddi’s Fridge author, Lois Brandt, along with crafts, pizza and food samples. This children’s book aims to shed light on poverty and hunger, as two best friends discover their socioeconomic differences and learn how friendship, empathy, trust and helping others can assist in overcoming them. The book also includes a call-to-action section, with six effective ways children who read the book can help fight hunger and information on anti-hunger groups, such as Blessings in a Backpack.

For more information, visit Marianos.com.

In-Store Selling Pre-Stuffed Backpacks:

Through Saturday, February 20

“Stuff the Backpack” Reading Event: Saturday, February 20

Noon: Mariano’s NewCity, 1500 N Clyborne Ave., Chicago, Il, 60610

3 p.m.: Mariano’s Hoffman Estates, 2575 W Golf Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

About Blessings in a Backpack:

Hunger has both short- and long-term negative effects on children’s health and ability to succeed in school. Blessings in a Backpack is a 501(c)3 organization that, through an all-volunteer network, mobilizes communities, individuals and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Blessings in a Backpack currently provides nearly 3 million hunger-free weekends to 84,000 children in 45 states and the District of Columbia.